Marston's announces plans to cut over 2,000 jobs

Pub chain Marston’s has said it plans to cut 2,150 jobs due to the impact of the Government’s new coronavirus restrictions across the UK.
Marston's non-executive chairman, Roger DevlinMarston's non-executive chairman, Roger Devlin
Marston's non-executive chairman, Roger Devlin

The firm said 2,150 people currently on furloughs would be affected after it posted a 30 per cent drop in annual sales.

“The introduction of these further restrictions and guidance affecting pubs is hugely disappointing in view of a lack of clear evidence tying pubs to the recent increase in infection levels,” the company said.

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While a 10pm curfew on pubs, restaurants and other leisure businesses has been in place across the whole of England since last month, the Government is now closing pubs and bars in “very high” alert areas, with those in Liverpool told to shut this week.

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, warned on Wednesday that the capital was also likely to move into tighter restrictions later this week.

Marston’s, which had placed 13,000 of its 14,000 workers on furlough earlier in the year, said the new rules have undermined consumer confidence and caused uncertainty.

Some pub owners, including the Beehive pub, have already warned that the fresh curbs will wipe out their businesses.

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